Real Estate Investing in Carnation, Washington (98014)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

King County • Population: 7,681 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 98014 (Carnation, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (47/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 40.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Carnation, WA (98014)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,009,790
Avg Monthly Rent $2,106
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $149,028
% Renters 9.2%

Market Analysis: 98014 Carnation

The 98014 ZIP in Carnation, WA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $1.0M entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 98014 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 98014's metrics run below King County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 98014 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategy in 98014 is an operator game, not a passive one. On balance, entry prices of $1.0M are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Carnation:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.8× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,106/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
45 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.2%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 98014

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$255,403/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $680,923 $2,340 2.5% +5.3% $340,462
3BR $905,247 $3,060 2.4% +6.9% $301,749
4BR $1,210,602 $3,600 2.1% +7.9% $302,651
5BR $1,277,014 +7.6% $255,403

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.1M$945K$780K$615K$449K$284KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98014 Compare?

Metric 98014 Carnation Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Washington
Home Value $1,009,790 $1,009,790 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 3.0% 3.0% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $2,106 $2,106 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.6% 1.6% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98014 (Carnation, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 98014 (Carnation, WA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Property managers serving King County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Alki Property Management LLC specializes in apartment rentals. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Brink Property Management offers residential property management and vacant home management services in Bellevue, providing marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Full Service Property Management offers compassionate property management across Metro Seattle, including multi-family management, property marketing, and maintenance services. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.0%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,009,790
Monthly Rent $2,106
Price-to-Rent 40.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.5%
Cap Rate 1.6%
5-Year IRR 4.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.6%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
3.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98014

Population: 7,681

💰 Median Household Income
$149,028
This area
$149,028
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.2%
This area
9.2%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
50.5%
This area
50.5%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.1 years
This area
42.1 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.7%
Other/Mixed 6.1%
Asian 4.8%
Hispanic/Latino 3.9%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
23.4%
This area
23.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.8%
This area
14.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 98014

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
17.7:1 Avg Class Size
$19,534 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Carnation Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
376 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,534 Per Student
A Very Good

Stillwater Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,534 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Tolt Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
607 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,534 Per Student
B Good

Choice

📚 07 – 10 High School Limited Data
💰
$19,534 Per Student
B Good

CLIP

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
50 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,534 Per Student
C+ Average

PARADE

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
92 Students
👨‍🏫
21.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,534 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
DigiPen Institute of Technology
1,100 students · 14.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carnation in WA worth investing in?

Investors tracking Carnation, WA will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $1.0M median home values and $2,106/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting steady returns.

How much rent can I charge in Carnation, WA?

Carnation, WA rentals go for roughly $2,106/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $1.0M acquisition costs.

What is the renter demographic in Carnation, WA?

Tenant quality in Carnation, WA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $2,106/mo.

What investment strategy works best in Carnation, WA?

In Carnation, WA the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $1.0M prices and $2,106/mo rents suits that approach.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Carnation, WA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Carnation, WA. Rents at $2,106/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

You know 98014 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98014 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans

How 98014 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 98014 (Carnation)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 98014 (Carnation, WA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.